Cleaning articles

ABSTRACT

Cleaning articles such as cloths, gloves, and mitts for cleaning various objects, including, but not limited to vehicles, such as cars are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cleaning article is in the form of a mitt that has at least one side that is fluffy, lofted, or three-dimensional. In this, or in other embodiments, the glove or mitt has an impervious inner liner at least partially lining the inside of the same. In another embodiment, the glove or mitt has an apertured nonwoven or apertured film outer surface. In another embodiment, the cleaning article includes, on at least one side, a first region comprising a substantially planar material and having a surface which is less than about 90% of the total side surface and is visually distinct from a second region on the side. In another embodiment, the cleaning article includes a finger positioning portion defining first, second and third finger regions in a body portion of the article. The cleaning articles can be of a type that is intended for a single use (disposable), or of a type intended for more than one use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/620,608, filed Oct. 20, 2004; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/672,151, filed Apr. 15, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning articles, such as cloths, gloves, and mitts for cleaning various objects, including, but not limited to vehicles, such as cars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gloves and mitts for cleaning are known. A number of different types of articles for cleaning various objects are described in the patent literature. Some of these are in the form of gloves or mitts. Others are in alternate forms. Articles for cleaning objects are described in the following patents and patent application: U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,819, Bryant; U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,306, Fenster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,250, Brown; U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,593, Bayless; U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,943, Barber; U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,393, Raab; U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,601, Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,007, Soon; U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,543 B1, Lee; U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,580 B1, Fisher; U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,928 B1, Smith, III; U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,767, Fisher; U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,549 B1, Peters, Jr.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0005831 A1, Gillette. Other products are available in the marketplace. An example of such a product is the Fumakila mitt sold in Japan. The search for improved gloves and mitts for cleaning has continued.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning articles, such as cloths, gloves, and mitts. The cleaning articles described herein are useful for cleaning various objects, including, but not limited to vehicles, such as cars.

There are numerous non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. In one non-limiting embodiment, a cleaning article is disclosed that is in the form of a glove or mitt which comprises a body portion having an opening therein. The glove or mitt is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening. The body portion comprises a first face or side that is worn or held adjacent to the front of the user's hand, and at least a partial second face or side that is worn adjacent to the back of the user's hand. The cleaning article may be provided with properties such as wet strength so that it is suitable for a wet cleaning operation, such as for washing a car by hand. In this embodiment, at least one of the first side and the second side comprises a cleaning surface comprising a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure is comprised of a plurality of strips of material that are joined to the body portion. There may be one or more layers of strips of material that are stacked on top of one another. In some embodiments, the width of at least some of the strips of material are greater than ⅛ inch (about 3 mm), or alternatively, greater than or equal to about 4.5 mm, or alternatively, greater than or equal to about 3/16 inches (about 4.8 mm).

In another non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning article has an apertured outer surface (or “topsheet”) that comprises its cleaning surface. In this embodiment, the apertured cleaning surface can comprise an apertured nonwoven fabric, or an apertured film. In this embodiment, the cleaning article may comprise a secondary component (or “secondary material”) underneath the cleaning surface. The secondary component is considered to be “underneath” the cleaning surface, when the cleaning article is oriented with its cleaning surface facing upward. The secondary component may, but need not, serve one or more of the following functions: a cushioning function; a spacing function; an absorbent function; a soil capturing function; and/or a lathering function for lathering a cleaning composition. The secondary component can comprise a number of different types of materials, including but not limited to: a batting, single or multiple layers of fibrous material or webs made by various methods or combinations of methods. Such materials may include, but are not limited to the following: air laid, carded, carded thermally bonded, hydroentangled, spunmelt, meltblown materials, and the like. The secondary component can also comprise other synthetic and/or natural based materials in other forms such as foam structures.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning article comprises a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area of the body portion. The body portion comprises a first side having a total surface and a second side having a total surface, wherein at least one of the first and second sides comprises a first region defining a first surface and a second region defining a second surface. The first region comprises a substantially planar material, and the first surface is less than about 90% of the total surface of the side comprising the first region. The first region is visually distinct from the second region.

In a further non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning article comprises a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area of the body portion. The body portion comprises a first side, a second side, and a finger positioning portion located within the finger area of the body portion and connecting the first side with the second side. The finger positioning portion defines first, second and third finger regions at least partially separated by the finger positioning portion.

The cleaning article may have a liquid (e.g., water) resistant or liquid impervious liner or backsheet. In the case of cleaning articles in the form of a glove or mitt, the liner may comprise an inner liner that at least partially lines the inside of the same. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the cleaning article may be made liquid resistant or liquid impervious in manners other than by providing the same with a liner. For example, at least a portion of the cleaning article may be made liquid resistant or liquid impervious by providing at least a portion of the materials comprising the same with an inner liquid resistant or liquid impervious coating.

In other embodiments, the cleaning article need not comprise a portion that completely covers the back of the user's hand, as in the case of a glove or mitt. In other embodiments, for example, the cleaning article can be in the form of a wipe that does not have any portions covering the back of the user's hand. In other embodiments, the cleaning article can have a portion that only covers (or is merely worn adjacent to) part of the back of the user's hand. One example of such an embodiment is one in which the cleaning article is similar in form to a wipe, but which has a portion at one end thereof into which the wearer can slip the top portions of their fingers, which only covers (or is merely worn adjacent to) part of the back of the user's hand. Such embodiments may cover, for example only: the backs of the user's fingers; the backs of the top portion of the user's fingers; or a portion of the back of the user's hand, but not all of the back of the user's hand.

The cleaning articles described herein can be of a type that is intended for a single use (disposable), or of a type intended for more than one use. Numerous other embodiments are also possible, including, but not limited to those described in the following detailed description. The present invention also includes the methods of making the cleaning articles described herein.

The present invention will become more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the cleaning surface of one non-limiting embodiment of a cleaning article that is in the form of a cleaning mitt.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken from the left side of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 1 showing a portion of the strips thereon, and showing the article before the ends of the strips are rearranged.

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 4, showing the end of the cleaning article containing the opening.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view taken from an angle similar to FIG. 5 showing a portion of the first portion of the body portion with a web joined thereto in an alternative manner to form strips.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view taken from an angle similar to FIG. 6 showing a portion of the first portion of the body portion with webs joined thereto in an alternative manner to form strips.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic view taken from an angle similar to FIG. 6 showing a portion of the first portion of the body portion with webs joined thereto in an alternative manner to form strips.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a cleaning article of an alternative embodiment which has an apertured nonwoven surface.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view taken from the left side of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a schematic end view of the cleaning article shown in FIG. 9, showing the end of the cleaning article containing the opening.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a cleaning article having a portion that only covers part of the back of a user's hand.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of another alternative embodiment of a cleaning article having a portion that only covers part of the back of a user's hand.

FIGS. 15A-15C are views of further embodiments of a cleaning article having a first region comprising a substantially planar material.

FIGS. 16A-16C are views of further embodiments of a cleaning article having a finger positioning portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning articles, such as cloths, gloves, and mitts. The cleaning articles described herein are useful for cleaning various objects, including, but not limited to vehicles, such as cars. The present invention also includes the methods of making the cleaning articles described herein.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a cleaning article 20. This cleaning article 20 is in the form of a mitt that has at least one side that is fluffy, lofted, or three-dimensional. It should be understood that the cleaning article 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a unique configuration, and that the cleaning articles of the present invention are not limited to those having this particular configuration.

The cleaning article 20 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a body portion 22 having an opening 24 therein. The cleaning article 20 is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening 24. In the embodiment shown, the cleaning article 20 is sized and configured to receive the user's entire hand in the opening 24. The end 25 of the cleaning article 20 that is opposite the opening 24 (that is, the portion within which the user's finger tips will lie), will be referred to as the “opposing end”. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the opposing end 25 forms a closed structure to cover the user's fingers. In this embodiment, the opposing end 25 is also rounded (or convex) when the article is seen in a plan view from one of the faces of the same. The body portion 22 has a longitudinal centerline L and a transverse centerline T, and comprises a first side (or “first face”) 26, and a second side (or “second face”) 28. The longitudinal centerline L extends in the same direction as the user's fingers when the user's hand is inserted into the opening 24. In this embodiment, at least one of the first and second sides comprises a three-dimensional structure comprised of a plurality of strips of material 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first side 26 is three-dimensional, and the second side 28 is substantially flat. In other embodiments, both sides may comprise a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional first side 26 shown in FIG. 1 can be comprised of strips of material that can be rearranged or “fluffed” to provide the same with more loft and/or to re-orient or randomize the orientation of the strips of material 30. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, this may allow the three-dimensional first side 26 to better clean and/or conform to the surface to be cleaned and/or to better keep dislodged soil particles away from the surface of the vehicle being cleaned.

The strips of material 30 can be disposed in any suitable orientation. As shown in FIG. 4, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the strips of material 30 are initially oriented (that is, before they are rearranged or fluffed) with their lengths generally parallel to the transverse centerline, T. In other embodiments, the strips of material 30 may be oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline, L, or at any suitable angle relative to the longitudinal or transverse centerlines. In still other embodiments, some of the strips of material 30 may be oriented in one of the directions specified above, and other strips of material 30 may be oriented in one or more different directions.

There can be any suitable number of strips 30, and the strips 30 can be provided in any suitable arrangement. As shown in FIG. 4, the strips 30 in the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, can be arranged in four or five columns, C, of strips. The columns, C, of strips are oriented in the longitudinal direction, and thus, may also be referred to as “longitudinal rows” (or simply as “rows”, if they are oriented in other directions). As shown in FIG. 5, there may also be several layers of strip material that are stacked on top of one another to form the strips of material 30. Any suitable number of layers of strip material may be stacked to form the strips of material 30 to increase the effective bulk of the three-dimensional surface. In certain non-limiting embodiments, for example, there may be between three and five layers of strip material on the cleaning article.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the strips 30 are formed from one or more webs 31 that are oriented in the longitudinal direction. The webs 31 have transverse slits 33 in their longitudinal side edges to form the strips 30. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the strips 30 are formed between each pair of slits 33. In the embodiment shown, opposing strips 30 are formed on both longitudinal side edges of the webs 31. Each strip 30 has two ends, a proximal end 30A, and a distal end 30B. The strips 30 are joined to the body portion 22 at their proximal ends 30A by bonds 32. The strips 30 can be joined to the body portion 22 so that the distal ends 30B of the strips 30 in adjacent columns, C, overlap. The strips 30 can be configured to overlap when the strips 30 are in a flattened condition (that is, when they are not fluffed) and/or in a fluffed condition.

The term “joined”, as used in this specification, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element.

The strips of material 30 can comprise any suitable material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to: woven and nonwoven webs, and polymeric materials such as apertured films, foams, scrims, and netting. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can be comprised at least partially of fibers derived from natural sources (e.g., pulp, cotton, wool, rayon, viscose fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, polypropylene, nylon, aramid, polyethylene, polylactic acid, and biodegradable fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers, if present, may be in any suitable form, including, but not limited to in the form of bi-component fibers, splittable fibers, and/or microfibers.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the strips of material 30 comprise a nonwoven fabric (or “nonwoven material”). The nonwoven fabric can comprise any suitable type of nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric comprising the strips of material 30 can be described by the process by which it is made. The strips of material 30 can be made by a number of different processes. These include, but are not limited to: air laid, wet laid, meltblown, spunbonded, carded, thermally bonded, air-through bonded, powder bonded, latex bonded, solvent bonded, spunlaced, and combinations of the foregoing. In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fabric can comprise a spunbond polypropylene having a basis weight of between about 15-80 g/m², which is made of at least some fibers having a denier of between about 1-4. In one embodiment, a 45 grams/m² polypropylene fiber spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded hydroentangled (or “SMS”) nonwoven batting with 1.4 denier spun fibers known as AVSPUN™ obtained from Avgol Ltd. of Holon, Israel, can be used. Such a material is described in greater detail in Avgol's U.S. Patent Publication US 2004/0010894 A1.

If desired, the materials forming the strips 30 may be further processed prior to forming the cleaning article 20. The materials forming the strips 30 may be further processed by printing, mechanical deformation, area densification or other methods known in the art to impart additional properties such as but not limited to color, abrasion and texture. Examples of post processing technologies that may be used are described in the following patent publications: US 2004/0131820 A1 (PCT WO 04/058117 A1), and PCT WO 04/049,061.

The strips of material 30 can be of any suitable dimensions. By way of example, the strips 30 can range in length from greater than or equal to about ¼ inch to about 2 inches (about (5 cm), or more, and in width from greater than ⅛ inch (about 3 mm), or alternatively, greater than or equal to about 4.5 mm, or alternatively, greater than or equal to about 3/16 inches (about 4.8 mm) to about 1 inch (about 2.5 cm), or more. In certain embodiments, the strips of material 30 may have a width that is greater than about twice the thickness of the strips of material, or any multiple of their thickness greater than two. In certain embodiments, the strips of material 30 have a length of about 0.5-1.5 inch (about 1.3-3.8 cm), a width of about 0.1-0.4 inch (about 0.3-1 cm), and a thickness of about 0.01-0.02 inch (about 0.3-0.5 mm).

The strips 30 may also be provided with other features. In some embodiments, the strips 30 may be provided with slit or frayed ends (for example, a wide strip could be provided with a free distal end 30B that has one or more (e.g., multiple) slits therein to form fingers, branches, or the like). In these, or other embodiments, slits can also be provided along the side edges of the strips 30 (that is, along the lengths of the strips 30). In addition, in other embodiments, any of the portions of the strips 30 that are described herein as having slits formed therein, could alternatively be cut in other manners, such as with a curvilinear cut, or a serrated cut to form zig-zag or saw-toothed edge on the same.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opposing strips 30 in each web 31 are generally of the same length (or are symmetrical). In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the strips of the different webs 31 generally have the same lengths. However, numerous other variations of the strips 30 are possible. For example, in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the webs 31 may be joined so that the opposing strips 30 in at least one of the webs 31 are of unequal lengths. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment in which the webs 31 are aligned so that they form a stack of strips in which the lengths of the strips 30 on opposing sides of the web 31 vary from shorter to longer from the top of the stack to the bottom. FIG. 8 shows another embodiment in which the widths of the webs 31 that form the stack of strips varies from top to bottom such that the webs 31 become wider from the top of the stack to the bottom of the stack. In other embodiments, the widths of the webs 31 that form the stack of strips varies from top to bottom such that the webs 31 become narrower from the top of the stack to the bottom of the stack. In still other embodiments, any of the variations described herein may be provided between different rows of strips (for example, between adjacent rows of strips). Numerous other variations are possible. The different embodiments described herein may be used for any suitable purpose, including, but not limited to providing the cleaning surface with particular three-dimensional shapes, and/or providing better nesting between adjacent rows of strips, or for other purposes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the body portion 22 of the cleaning mitt 20 is comprised of a first portion 34 and a second portion 36 that form a hand receiving pocket therebetween for receiving a hand of a user. The first and second portions 34 and 36 can be formed in any suitable manner. The first and second portions 34 and 36 of the body portion 22 can be formed from a single piece of material that has one portion disposed on top of another, or alternatively, these portions of the body portion 22 can be formed from more than one piece of material. As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second portions 34 and 36 of the body portion 22 are formed from two pieces or layers of material that are joined together to form the pocket. The term “layer”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to single unfolded sheets, folded sheets, strips of material, loose or bonded fibers, multiple layers or laminates of material, or other combinations of such materials. This term is thus, not limited to single unfolded layers or sheets of material.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 34 of the body portion 22 is comprised of two layers. These comprise an outer layer 38 that is disposed away from the user's hand during use, and an inner layer 40 that is disposed closer to the user's hand. The outer layer 38 and inner layer 40 can be comprised of any suitable material or materials. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to: woven and nonwoven webs; polymeric materials such films, as apertured films, foams, scrims, and netting. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can be comprised at least partially of fibers derived from natural sources (e.g., pulp, cotton, wool, rayon, viscose fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, polypropylene, nylon, aramid, polyethylene, polylactic acid, and biodegradable fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers, if present, may be in any suitable form, including, but not limited to in the form of bi-component fibers, splittable fibers, and/or microfibers. The outer layer 38 and/or inner layer 40 can be comprised of the same types of material(s) or they may comprise different types of materials. The outer layer 38 and/or inner layer 40 can be comprised of the same type of material(s) comprising the strips of material 30.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the outer layer 38 and inner layer 40 to be comprised of certain materials that are resistant to conditions encountered during cleaning processes. That is, it may be desirable to use materials that do not attract soils during use, such as cellulose-based materials, which have an anionically charged surface. For example, sponges and other types of cleaning implements that are comprised of cellulosic materials may be subject to increased soiling when used with soaps that contain certain cationic polymers in certain concentration levels. In such cases, therefore, it may be desirable for the cleaning article 20 to be comprised of at least some materials that have cationically charged surfaces, such as polyester. Such a cleaning article 20 can, for example, be comprised either entirely of polyester, or from a blend of polyester and some other material, such as polypropylene.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the outer layer 38 comprises a nonwoven fabric or material. The nonwoven fabric can comprise any suitable type of nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric outer layer 38 can, for example, comprise any of the types of nonwoven fabrics described herein as being suitable for use as the strips 30, though the same types of nonwoven fabrics need not be used for both the outer layer 38 and the strips 30. Such materials include the Avgol Ltd. material, and the post processed materials described above.

In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the inner layer 40 is liquid resistant or liquid impervious. This will allow the user's hand to stay dry and free from being soiled when using the cleaning article, such as when cleaning a car. In the embodiment shown, the entire inner layer 40 is liquid impervious. The inner layer 40 can comprise any suitable liquid resistant or liquid impervious material. The inner layer 40 may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. In one non-limiting embodiment, the inner layer comprises a film such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801 entitled “Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior” which issued to Chappell, et al. on May 21, 1996.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the second portion of the body portion 22 also comprises two layers. These comprise a second side outer layer 42 that is disposed away from the user's hand in use, and a second side inner layer 44 that is disposed closer to the user's hand. The second side outer layer 42 and the second side inner layer 44 can be comprised of any suitable material or materials. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, any of the same types of materials that are specified as being suitable for the first side outer layer 38 and the first side inner layer 40, respectively. In one non-limiting embodiment, the second side outer layer 42 comprises a light blue color SMS thermal point bonded nonwoven filter bag material comprised of approximately 1.5 denier fibers that has a basis weight of about 70 grams/m² and is obtained from Snow Filtration of West Chester, Ohio, U.S.A. In other embodiments, this layer, of course, can be any suitable color, or it could be white.

The components of the first and second portions, 34 and 36, of the body portion 22 and the strips of material 30 can be joined together in any suitable manner. Suitable manners include, but are not limited to, by adhesives, thermal bonding, thermal-mechanical bonding, mechanical, and ultrasonic bonding. The layers of the first and second body portions, 34 and 36, can be joined together over any suitable portion or portions of their faces in any suitable manner. It may be desirable for these portions to be joined in a manner that preserves their flexibility. The first and second portions, 34 and 36, of the body portion 22 can also be joined to each other at, or adjacent to their peripheries to provide an opening for the user's hand.

The strips 30 can be joined to the body portion 22 in any suitable manner. Suitable manners include, but are not limited to, by adhesives, thermal bonding, thermal-mechanical bonding, mechanical, and ultrasonic bonding. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the strips 30 are joined to the body portion at discrete bonded areas that comprise fusion bonds 32. The fusion bonds 32 can be heat and/or pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, and the like. Pressure can be applied in any suitable manner, such as by moving the components to be bonded between rotating rolls, placing the material; on an anvil and forcing a platen down on the materials, and the like. Suitable means that can be adapted to join the strips to an underlying layer are described in at least some of the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,148 Schaefer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595 Kievit, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,999 Persson, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,710,189 and 4,808,252 issued to Lash; U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,783 Willhite, Jr., et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,984 and 4,919,756 issued to Ball, et al.

The cleaning article 20 shown in FIGS. 1-5 may provide certain advantages. However, it should be understood that the cleaning article is not required to provide such advantages unless specifically set out in the appended claims. Such advantages may include, but are not limited to: the three-dimensional first side may provide more surface area for contacting the surface to be cleaned than a flat surface; the three-dimensional first side may provide better conformance between mitt and the surface to be cleaned; the three-dimensional first side may provide more cushion to provide more comfort during use; and, the three-dimensional first side may provide more space for trapping dirt.

Numerous other embodiments are possible. FIGS. 9-12, for example, show a cleaning article of an alternative embodiment which has an apertured cleaning surface (or “topsheet”) 46. The apertured topsheet 46 may, in some versions of such an embodiment, be used to provide a low abrasion scrubbing surface that will not scratch surfaces such as the polished surfaces of a vehicle. The apertured topsheet 46 can also provide a structure with openings for trapping soil that is removed during the cleaning process.

The cleaning article 20 shown in FIGS. 9-12 can comprise some of the same component parts as the cleaning article shown in FIGS. 1-5. These include: a body portion 22 having an opening 24 therein, and a first side (or “first face”) 26 and a second side (or “second face”) 28. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, from the upwardly facing cleaning surface to the surface that faces outward from the back of the wearer's hand, the cleaning article 20 comprises: an apertured topsheet 46; an underlying secondary component, such as a lofted material such as a batting layer 48; a first impervious liner 50; a second impervious liner 52; and a backing layer 54. These components can comprise any suitable materials. In addition, in other embodiments, a cleaning article with an apertured cleaning surface may be made of different materials and/or a greater number or fewer number of layers of material.

The topsheet 46 of the cleaning article shown in FIGS. 9-12 is liquid pervious permitting liquids and at least some soil to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 46 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; and reticulated thermoplastic films. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as polyester, rayon, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

It may be desirable, in the case of an article for washing vehicles, for the apertured topsheet 46 to be made from materials that are sufficiently soft so as not to scratch the surface of the vehicle being washed. Apertured films and apertured nonwoven materials may provide these properties. Nonwoven materials comprise a fabric assembly having structural integrity that are formed by continuous or discontinuous structural elements comprising strands or fibers that are held together in random or ordered (e.g., parallel, etc.) array. The strands or fibers can be held together by (a) mechanical interlocking (e.g., as a consequence of needling or hydroentangling, etc.) in the case of thermoplastic fibers, heat-induced bonding (i.e., fusing), or (b) an impregnation or coating of a bonding agent.

Suitable apertured formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135, entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries”, which issued to Thompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet”, which issued to Mullane, et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314 entitled “Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties”, which issued to Radel, et al. on Aug. 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 entitled “Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression”, which issued to Ahr, et al. on Jul. 31, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,819 entitled “Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Polymeric Web for Transmitting Both Dynamically Deposited and Statically Contacted Fluids From One Surface to the Other”, which issued to Ouellette, et al. on Jan. 20, 1987; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 both issued to Curro, et al. on Sep. 2, 1986 and Dec. 16, 1986, respectively; U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 entitled “Multilayer Polymeric Film” issued to Baird on Apr. 9, 1991; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/442,935 entitled “Fluid Transport Webs Exhibiting Surface Energy Gradients” filed in the name of Ouellette, et al. on May 31, 1995 (PCT Publication WO 96/00548, published Jan. 11, 1996). One suitable apertured formed film topsheet for the topsheet 46 is the formed film described in one or more of the above patents and marketed on sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as the “DRI-WEAVE” topsheet. In addition, apertured spunlace materials can be obtained from BBA Nonwovens.

If the apertured topsheet 46 comprises a nonwoven material, the apertured topsheet 46 can comprise any suitable nonwoven material. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-12, the apertured topsheet 46 comprises a stretch apertured nonwoven material. In the embodiment shown, the apertures 56 of the stretch apertured nonwoven material are arranged in diagonal rows. The apertures 56 of this particular nonwoven may also be thought of as being arranged in a hexagonal repeating pattern. In this pattern, the sides of the repeating units of which are formed by six apertures, and there is one aperture in the center of each repeating unit. This apertured nonwoven material has portions of the surface of the same (the unapertured portions) that have dimensions between the apertures 56 that are at least about one-half the width of the apertures 56. The unapertured portions can range in size up to the size of the width of the apertures 56, or greater. In some embodiments, this may be useful to obscure the secondary component from view better than if the cleaning surface was formed by a scrim with openings that are larger than the structural elements comprising the scrim. Suitable stretch apertured nonwoven materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,097; 5,658,639; and 5,916,661.

Apertured nonwoven materials may also be distinguished from scrim materials in several other respects. While scrims also have apertures, scrims are often formed from continuous length intersecting structural elements that have circular cross-sections. The structural elements of scrims will often form raised nodes where they intersect and are welded together, while nonwoven materials often have structural elements that intersect, but at less pronounced, generally planar points of intersection. It is believed that, in some cases, the nodes of some scrim materials can scratch some surfaces, such as the surfaces of a vehicle. Also, scrims may tend to have too high of an open area, thereby allowing soil to easily come into contact with the surface of the vehicle.

The apertured topsheet 46 can have any suitable amount of open area. The apertured topsheet 46 may have between about 20 and about 80% open area, alternatively between about 30 and about 70% open area, or alternatively, between about 40 and about 60% open area. The apertures may permit water (and/or a cleaning composition) and/or soil particles to pass through their openings and into the underlying secondary component material directly beneath, thereby preventing direct interaction between these soil particles and the surface of the vehicle.

Suitable underlying materials that can be used in combination with an apertured topsheet 46 include, but are not limited to, high loft nonwoven polymeric battings having a basis weight of 40 grams/m² (gsm) and above. Such materials are available from Polymer Group Incorporated (“PGI”) of Mooresville, N.C., U.S.A. In one embodiment, a 75 grams/m² polypropylene, polyester, PE/PP bicomponent fiber nonwoven batting from PGI that is made by carding and then through air bonded can be used.

The secondary component 48, which is best seen in FIG. 12, is positioned between the topsheet 46 and the backing layer 54. The secondary component may, but need not, serve one or more of the following functions: a cushioning function; a spacing function; an absorbent function; a soil capturing function; and/or a lathering function for lathering a cleaning composition. The secondary component 48 may be generally compressible, and conformable. The secondary component 48 may, in some embodiments, be capable of absorbing and/or retaining liquids. In other embodiments, the secondary component 48 need not be capable of absorbing and/or retaining liquids.

In embodiments in which it is desirable for the secondary component 48 to be capable of absorbing and/or retaining liquids, the secondary component 48 may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials, including those commonly used in absorbent articles. Suitable absorbent materials comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include cotton fibers or cotton lintels, creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers (in fibrous and particulate form); absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials, or mixtures of these. Absorbent materials may comprise folded tissues, cotton batts, woven materials, nonwoven webs, rayon including needle punched rayon, and thin layers of foam. The secondary component 48 may comprise a single material or a combination of materials.

The first impervious liner 50, second impervious liner 52, and backing layer 54 can comprise any suitable materials. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, those materials specified for use as the inner layer and outer layer, respectively, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5.

In other alternative embodiments, the cleaning article need not be in the form of a glove or mitt that is worn on a portion of a user's hand. In such other embodiments, for instance, the cleaning article can be used in conjunction with a handle, or holder. Such a cleaning article could be configured to fit into an opening such as that into which the user's hand is inserted in the embodiments described above. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the cleaning article can be made without a fiber bundle underlying the strips of material 30. In other embodiments, the cleaning article may comprise such a fiber bundle.

In other embodiments, the cleaning article 20 need not comprise a portion that completely covers the back of the user's hand, as in the case of a glove or mitt. In other embodiments, for example, the cleaning article can be in the form of a wipe that does not have any portions covering the back of the user's hand. In other embodiments, the cleaning article can have a portion that only covers (or is merely worn adjacent to) part of the back of the user's hand. One example of such an embodiment is one in which the cleaning article is similar in form to a wipe, but which has a portion at one end thereof into which the wearer can slip the top portions of their fingers, which only covers (or is merely worn adjacent to) part of the back of the user's hand. Such embodiments may cover, for example only: the backs of the user's fingers; the backs of the top portion of the user's fingers; or the a portion of the back of the user's hand, but not all of the back of the user's hand. FIG. 13 shows an example of an embodiment in which the cleaning article 20 has a portion at one end thereof into which the wearer can slip the top portions of their fingers, which only covers part of the back of the user's hand. FIG. 14 shows an example of an embodiment in which the cleaning article 20 has a strap 60 on the back thereof to assist in holding the cleaning article. The strap 60 may be configured to fit over all of the user's fingers, or fewer than all of the user's fingers.

Additional embodiments of the cleaning article 20 are shown in FIGS. 15A-15C and may comprise many of the same components and the same or similar construction of the cleaning articles as shown in FIGS. 1-14, with additional features as described herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15A- 15C, the cleaning article 20 includes a body portion 22 having an opening 24 therein. As in the previously described cleaning articles, the body portion is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening. The cleaning article 20 of this embodiment is further sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area 70 of the body portion. Generally, the finger area 70 comprises an area of the body portion adjacent the end 25 which is opposite to the opening 24.

As in the previously described embodiments, the body portion 22 has a first side and a second side, with each of these sides having a total surface. In the presently described embodiments of the cleaning article, at least one of the first and second sides comprises a first region defining a first surface and a second region defining a second surface, with the first region comprising a substantially planar material. Within the description of the embodiments of FIGS. 15A-15C, the term “substantially planar material” refers to a material provided and used in a generally planar sheet form, having a length and width but no depth dimension beyond the thickness of the material itself. Thus, the substantially planar material is contrasted with and distinct from, for example, the components provided on the three dimensional side 26 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8. The first surface defined by the first region constitutes less than about 90% of the total surface of the side comprising the first region and the first region is visually distinct from the second region. Since the first region is visually distinct from the second region, the first region can be used to provide a visual signal to a user of the cleaning article that the first region provides an enhanced cleaning functionality. For example, the first region of substantially planar material can provide a user with a visual signal to apply increased pressure where the first region is located, for example in the finger area, to facilitate removal of tough soils from a surface which is to be cleaned.

In order to facilitate the recognition of the visual distinction, for example to obtain enhanced cleaning functionality, at the first region of substantially planar material, the surface of the first region of substantially planar material comprises less than about 90% of the total surface of the at least one side on which it is provided. In additional embodiments, the surface of the first region comprises less than about 50% of the total surface of the at least one side on which it is provided, or alternatively, less than about 33% of the total surface of the at least one side on which it is provided, or alternatively, less than about 25% of the total surface of the at least one side on which it is provided. The first region of substantially planar material can be located at any desired location on one or both sides of the body portion. In one embodiment, the first region is located in the finger area 70 of the body portion. The first region of substantially planar material can cover substantially the entire finger area as shown by the first region 72 of substantially planar material included in the cleaning article of FIG. 15A. In addition, the first region of substantially planar material may be provided in the finger area 70 of the body portion 22 and can extend beyond the finger area 70 to additional areas of the body portion as shown by first region of planar material 74 in FIG. 15B. In yet a further embodiment, the first region of substantially planar material may be provided in a plurality of zones within the finger area 70, for example, corresponding with one or more fingertip placements of a user's fingers. A first region of planar material in the form of zones 76 convenient for local application of pressure by fingertips is shown in FIG. 15C.

The first region of substantially planar material may be provided on either the first side 26 of the body portion or on the second side 28 of the body portion, or on both sides, as desired. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 15A, the first region 72 of substantially planar material is provided on the first side 26 of the cleaning article, together with a portion of fluffy, lofted, or other three-dimensional surface material, for example strips of material 30 as previously described herein. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15B, the first region 74 of substantially planar material may be provided on the second side 28 of the body portion. As will be apparent, when the first region of substantially planar material is provided on the first side 26, as shown in FIG. 15A, a user may apply increased pressure in the finger area containing the first region of substantially planar material in order to remove tough soils, while using the remaining body portion containing the three-dimensional material such as strips 30, to clean less difficult soils. In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 15B, wherein the first region 74 of substantially planar material is provided on the second side 28, the user may rotate the cleaning article 180° around a hand in order to alternate between the cleaning surfaces provided on the first side 26 and the second side 28, so that when a soil which is difficult to remove is encountered, the cleaning article may be rotated to present the first region of planar material to a user's palm side and facilitate application of pressure at the first region 74. In the embodiment of FIG. 15B, the first side 26 may optionally include a three-dimensional cleaning portion, for example, strips 30, or the like.

As described, the first region of substantially planar material is visually distinct from the second region of the side on which it is provided. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 15A-15C, the first regions 72, 74 and 76 are visually distinct from the second region 78. The visual distinction may be provided in any suitable manner, including, but not limited to a form of surface texture, weave, or printing or by a color difference between the first region of substantially planar material and the second region. Within the context of the present description, the term visually distinct means that the first region of planar material is easily discernible by the naked eye by a user from the second region of the side surface on which the first region of substantially planar material is provided. In one embodiment, the first region of substantially planar material and the second region 78 of the side have a visually detectable color difference measured as Delta E* of at least 3, or alternatively, have a Delta E* of at least 10. Within the present description, Delta E* is measured with a Hunter ColorQuest Spectrophotometer, wherein Delta E*, or Δ E*=square root {(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²} and wherein L* is a measurement of lightness, a* is a measure of the redness/greenness, and b* is a measure of the yellowness/blueness. ΔL*=L* (first region)−L* (second region), and a positive ΔL* means the first region is lighter than the second region. A negative ΔL* means the first region is darker than the second region. Δa*=a* (first region)−a* (second region), and a positive Δa* means the first region is redder than the second region. A negative Δa* means the first region is greener than the second region. Δb*=b* (first region)−b* (second region), and a positive Δb* means the first region is yellower than the second region. A negative Δb* means the first region is bluer than the second region.

The substantially planar material of the first region may be any material which provides a desired cleaning functionality. In one embodiment, the enhanced cleaning functionality is an ability to remove soil by application of increased pressure in the first region. Examples of suitable materials include any of the woven and non-woven materials previously described herein, including, but not limited to, various natural and/or synthetic woven and non-woven materials. As indicated, the substantially planar material is typically in a sheet form and may be formed, for example, from polyolefin, polyester, rayon, viscose, cotton, or the like, including mixtures thereof, or from other materials known in the art. In one specific embodiment, the first region is formed from a 60 gsm nonwoven material comprising 70% rayon and 30% polyethylene terephthalate (PET), impregnated with acrylic resin and having a blue and white pattern. In another specific embodiment, the first region is formed from an 80 gsm nonwoven material comprising 90% viscose and 10% PET, impregnated with acrylic resin and having a blue and white pattern.

In a specific embodiment, the substantially planar material is sufficiently abrasive to remove soil from a surface to be cleaned without causing visually perceptible scratching of the surface, i.e., scratches which are visible to the naked eye. In a more specific embodiment, the planar material is sufficiently abrasive to remove soil from a car clearcoat surface without causing visually perceptible scratching of the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the planar material is sufficiently abrasive to remove tough soils, i.e., those typically difficult to remove with gentle wiping, such as tar, bugs, bird droppings, and the like, without causing visually perceptible scratching of the surface. Various techniques may be employed to assess if a substantially planar material meets these abrasiveness limitations. One suitable method is described as follows, but other methods may be employed as well.

In one test method, 4×12 inch ACT Laboratories' test panels, coated black paint and clearcoat, are soiled with a consumer relevant bug soil (for instance, a type of cricket soil could be used), baked and cleaned with the abrasive material. Alternatively, real bug soils obtained from ACT panels attached to consumer vehicles can be used. Bug soil is splattered onto test panels such that it represents visually what bug soil looks like on consumers' vehicles. Soiled panels are placed on a baking sheet and baked in a convection oven to simulate realistic heating that can occur on vehicle surfaces. The panels are then cooled. In the cleaning procedure, the test panel is placed on a stand at a 5° angle in a sink and spray rinsed with a 50 psi dynamic nozzle from a 3 foot distance, starting at the top of the panel and moving down. The substantially planar material is dipped in a soap solution and used to scrub the bug debris until the debris is removed. A nonlimiting example of a soap solution is a dilution of Mr. Clean™ AutoDry™ Carwash refill soap in ordinary tap water at a ratio of 1 part soap to 100 parts of ordinary tap water. The panel is then rinsed as described, followed by rinsing with distilled water and air drying. Once dry, the panel is visually inspected with the naked human eye to determine if the debris has been removed and if any scratching is detectable to the naked eye. Removal of the debris with no visually perceptible scratching warrants a passing grade, while failure to remove the debris or removal with visually perceptible scratching warrants a failing grade. In one embodiment, the substantially planar material employed in the first region exhibits a passing grade when evaluated according to this method.

In one embodiment, the planar material comprises an apertured material, for example a woven or nonwoven material provided with apertures. In a more specific embodiment, the apertured material is provided with apertures having an average opening dimension of at least about 0.5 mm, at least about 0.75 mm, at least about 1 mm, or at least about 1.25 mm. The apertured material may be provided with apertures having openings of any of a variety of shapes, including oval, circular, polygonal, including diamond, square, etc., half-moon, or slit shape, or mixtures thereof. In one specific embodiment, the apertured material is provided with apertures of diamond shape.

FIGS. 16A-16C disclose further embodiments of the cleaning articles according to the present invention. The cleaning articles 20 shown in FIGS. 16A-16C may comprise many of the same components in the same or similar construction of a cleaning article as shown in FIGS. 1-15, with additional features as described herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16A-16C, the cleaning article 20 includes a body portion 22 having an opening 24 therein. As in the previously described cleaning articles, the body portion is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening. The cleaning article 20 of this embodiment is further sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area 70 of the body portion. Generally, the finger area 70 comprises an area of the body portion adjacent to end 25 which is opposite to the opening 24.

As in the previously described embodiments, the body portion 22 has a first side and a second side, with the second side 28 being shown in each of FIGS. 16A-16C. The cleaning articles of FIGS. 16A-16C further include a finger positioning portion which is located within the finger area 70 of the body portion 22 and connects the first side 26 with the second side 28. The finger positioning portion further defines first, second and third finger regions at least partially separated by the finger positioning portion. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 16A, the finger positioning portion comprises first and second weld lines 80 extending into the finger area 70 of the body portion from the opposing end 25. The first and second weld lines therefore define first finger region 81 a, second finger region 81 b and third finger region 81 c in the finger area 70. These finger regions facilitate placement of the cleaning article on the hand of a user and assist in maintaining a proper orientation of the cleaning article on a user's hand during use of the article. For example, a user may conveniently place one or two middle fingers in the finger region 81 b, and one or two fingers, one finger and a thumb, or a thumb in each of finger regions 81 a and 81 c, in order to maintain a convenient and comfortable orientation of the cleaning article on the user's hand. Conveniently, in the embodiment of FIG. 16A, neither the first weld line 80 nor the second weld line 80 is entirely located along the longitudinal center line L of the body portion and, in the illustrated embodiment, are on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line L, whereby the weld lines facilitate use of the cleaning article on either the right hand or the left hand of a user, as the first, second and third regions are substantially symmetrically defined with respect to the longitudinal center line.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16A, the first and second weld lines which form the finger positioning portion are generally parallel with the longitudinal center line. However, it will be appreciated that the finger positioning portion may be located in any desirable manner to define first, second and third finger regions. Additionally, the first, second and third finger regions may be located as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third regions are located substantially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center line in order to provide ease of use on either the left or right hand of a user.

FIGS. 16B and 16C disclose additional embodiments of the cleaning article including a finger positioning portion. In the embodiment of FIG. 16B, the finger positioning portion again comprises first and second weld lines 82 which divide the finger area into a first finger region 83 a, a second finger region 83 b and a third finger region 83 c. The weld lines 82 are on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line L of the body portion and each weld line is arranged in a direction that intersects the longitudinal center line. The weld lines 82 thereby define first and third regions 83 a and 83 c which are particularly suitable for separating a thumb from fingers when a human hand is located at least partially within the body portion, depending on whether the cleaning article is placed on the left hand or right hand of a user.

While embodiments of FIGS. 16A and 16B each employ two weld lines as the finger positioning portion, it should be understood that the finger positioning portion may comprise any number and/or configuration of weld lines, or other finger region defining components, as desired. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16C, the finger positioning portion comprises a single weld line 84 comprising a continuous arc-shaped weld line. The weld line 84 defines a first finger region 85 a, a second finger region 85 b, and a third finger region 85 c. As in the previous embodiments, the first, second and third finger regions are located symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line of the body portion, although other arrangements of the finger regions may be employed.

The finger welds which may be used to form the finger positioning portions may be formed by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive sealing, stitching, and/or any other technique known in the art for adhering materials of the type used in forming the first side and the second side of the body portion. In the event that a side of the body portion is formed from two or more layers, it is only necessary that the innermost layer of the first side and the innermost layer of the second side are adhered to one another. In a further embodiment however, the welds extend through all layers of each side of the body portion.

The cleaning articles described herein can be manufactured in any suitable manner. The cleaning articles can be made by machine, by hand, or partially by machine and partially by hand. The cleaning article shown in the various figures can be made in a number of different manners. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning article shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be made by first joining the first and second portions of the body portion 22 together in a manner that leaves an opening for a user's hand. The first and second portions of the body portion can be arranged in a sandwich form, and joined outboard of the region where the opening is desired, such as by forming a seal or seam at their peripheries. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to turn the structure formed in this manner inside out to hide the seal or seam.

The strips of material 30 may be attached to the body portion 22 at any suitable step in the process of making the cleaning article. It may be desirable to supply one or more layers of material that will be cut to form the strips of material 30. The layer(s) of material may either be cut before, or after, they are joined to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article. In some embodiments, it is desirable to at least partially cut the layer(s) or material into strips before they are joined to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article, for ease of manufacture.

It may be desirable to leave some portions of the layer(s) of material uncut in order more easily join the same to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article. For example, rather than having to control and attach a plurality of strips of material to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article, it may be desirable to leave a portion of the layer(s) of material uncut forming an uncut region in the same. This uncut region can then be used to control and join more than one strip of material to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the strips of material 30 can be thought of as being arranged in both columns, C, and rows, R, when looking at a plan view of the cleaning article 20. In this embodiment, the columns, C, run in the direction of the longitudinal centerline, L, and the rows, R, are oriented in the direction of the transverse centerline, T. Each column is formed by a web of material that is provided with a plurality of transverse cuts 33 in the same. An uncut area, U, is left in the center of each web of material. The transverse cuts 33 form strips of material 30 on each side of the uncut area, U. The uncut area, U, can be used to bond all the attached strips of material 30 to the material that will underlie the strips of material 30 in the finished cleaning article.

In some cases, it is desirable to attach the strips to the first portion of the body portion 22 before the first and second portions of the body portion are joined together. In other cases, the strips of material 30 may be attached to the first portion of the body portion 22 after the first and second portions of the body portion are joined together.

The cleaning article 20 can be made in any suitable manner on a manufacturing line. In some embodiments of the method of making the cleaning article, the components that will be assembled into the cleaning articles may be oriented on the manufacturing line in a manner with the portions of the components that will form the transverse centerline of the cleaning article are oriented in the direction of the movement of the product on the manufacturing line (that is, in the “machine direction” or “MD”). In other words, the transverse centerline T of the products being manufactured will point in the machine direction, and the longitudinal centerline, L, of the products will point in a direction perpendicular thereto. In other embodiments of the method of making the cleaning article, the components being assembled may be oriented in a direction so that the transverse centerline is perpendicular to the machine direction (that is, oriented in the “cross-machine direction” or “CD”) and the longitudinal centerline, L, is oriented in the machine direction. It may be desirable, for ease of manufacture, for the components of the cleaning article 20 to be assembled with strips of material 30 oriented with their lengths running in the machine direction. Thus, if the cleaning article 20 has strips of material 30 oriented in the transverse direction, it may be desirable for the components of the cleaning article 20 to be assembled in an orientation where components are oriented so that the transverse centerline of the finished article will be traveling in the machine direction. However, it is also possible for the components of the cleaning article 20 to be assembled with strips of material 30 oriented with their lengths running in the cross-machine direction.

The three-dimensional side of the cleaning article 20 can be fluffed in any suitable manner. One way of fluffing the three-dimensional side is by a person manipulating the same with their fingers. Another way of fluffing the three-dimensional side is by shaking the cleaning article. Other ways of fluffing the three-dimensional side include using air jets and/or mechanical manipulation, such as by raking the surface of the same during the process of manufacturing the cleaning article.

To use the cleaning article 20, the user simply inserts at least a portion of their hand into the opening 24 formed in the body 22 of the cleaning article, and uses the first surface of the cleaning article 20 to clean a surface. If the cleaning article is of the type shown in FIGS. 1-5, the user may fluff the article as described herein prior to using the same. If the cleaning article 20 has a cleaning surface on both sides, then the user can use either side to clean a surface.

The cleaning article 20 can be used in any suitable manner or process. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning article 20 can be used in a process of cleaning the external surface of a vehicle, such as a car. The process can include any suitable number of steps in any suitable order. In one such embodiment, the process includes a step of applying a cleaning composition to the external surface of the vehicle. Any suitable cleaning composition can be used, and the cleaning composition can be applied to the surface of the vehicle in any manner.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A cleaning article comprising: a body portion having an opening therein, and being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in said opening, said body portion comprising: a first side; and at least a portion of a second side, wherein at least one of said first side and said second side comprises a three-dimensional structure comprised of a plurality of strips of material joined to said body portion, wherein said strips have a length, a width, and a thickness, and at least some of said strips are greater than about 4.5 mm in width.
 2. The cleaning article of claim 1 comprising more than one stacked layers of strips of material.
 3. The cleaning article of claim 1 having a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, wherein said strips of material have a length, a width, proximal ends, and distal ends, and at least some of said strips of material are joined to said body portion at their proximal ends with their lengths oriented in transverse direction and their distal ends being free.
 4. The cleaning article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said strips of material are arranged in adjacent rows, and said strips have a length, a width, proximal ends, and distal ends, and at least some of the distal ends of strips of material at least partially overlap.
 5. The cleaning article of claim 3 wherein the distal ends of at least some of said strips of material are provided with a configuration selected from the group consisting of: a curvilinear edge, split ends, frayed ends, a saw-tooth configuration, or combinations thereof.
 6. The cleaning article of claim 3 wherein said strips of material are rearranged to randomize the orientation of their free distal ends.
 7. The cleaning article of claim 1 wherein said article is a mitt.
 8. The cleaning article of claim 1 further comprising a barrier in between said first and second sides.
 9. The cleaning article of claim 8 wherein said barrier comprises a film.
 10. A cleaning article comprising: a body portion having an opening therein, and being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in said opening, said body portion comprising: a first side; and a second side, wherein at least one of said first side and said second side comprises an apertured nonwoven fabric, or apertured film.
 11. The cleaning article of claim 10 further comprising a secondary component between said first and second sides.
 12. The cleaning article of claim 11 wherein the secondary component comprises a batting.
 13. The cleaning article of claim 12 wherein said first side comprises said apertured nonwoven fabric, or apertured film, and said cleaning article further comprising a barrier in between said batting and second side.
 14. A cleaning article comprising: a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area of the body portion, the body portion comprising: a first side having a total surface; and a second side having a total surface, wherein at least one of the first and second sides comprises a first region defining a first surface and a second region defining a second surface, the first region comprising a substantially planar material, wherein the first surface is less than about 90% of the total surface of the side comprising the first region, and wherein the first region is visually distinct from the second region.
 15. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein the substantially planar material comprises an apertured material.
 16. The cleaning article of claim 15, wherein the apertured material is provided with apertures having an average opening dimension of at least about 0.5 mm, at least about 0.75 mm, at least about 1 mm, or at least about 1.25 mm.
 17. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein the first region is located at least at the finger area of the body portion.
 18. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein the first surface is less than about 50%, less than about 33%, or less than about 25%, of the total surface of the side comprising the first region.
 19. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side comprises a fluffy, lofted, or other three-dimensional cleaning portion.
 20. The cleaning article of claim 19, wherein the first region is provided on the first side and the fluffy, lofted, or other three-dimensional cleaning portion is provided on the second side.
 21. The cleaning article of claim 19, wherein the first region and the fluffy, lofted, or other three-dimensional cleaning portion are provided on the same side of the cleaning article.
 22. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein the first region and the second region have a Delta E of at least
 3. 23. The cleaning article of claim 14, wherein the first region is sufficiently abrasive to remove soil from a car clearcoat surface without causing visually perceptible scratching of the surface.
 24. A cleaning article comprising: a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a human hand in the opening with fingers positioned adjacent a finger area of the body portion, the body portion comprising: a first side; a second side; and a finger positioning portion located within the finger area of the body portion and connecting the first side with the second side, wherein the finger positioning portion defines first, second and third finger regions at least partially separated by the finger positioning portion.
 25. The cleaning article of claim 24, wherein the finger positioning portion comprises a continuous arc shaped weld line.
 26. The cleaning article of claim 24, wherein the finger positioning portion comprises at least a first weld line and a second weld line.
 27. The cleaning article of claim 26, wherein neither the first weld line nor the second weld line is entirely located along a longitudinal centerline of the body portion.
 28. The cleaning article of claim 27, wherein the first weld line and the second weld line are on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the body portion.
 29. The cleaning article of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first weld line and second weld line is generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the body portion.
 30. The cleaning article of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first weld line and second weld line is arranged in a direction that intersects the longitudinal centerline.
 31. The cleaning article of claim 28, wherein each of the first weld line and the second weld line is arranged in a direction intersecting said longitudinal axis.
 32. The cleaning article of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first weld line and second weld line is positioned to separate a thumb from fingers when a human hand is located at least partially within the body portion. 